Philosophy As Medicine Of The Soul

I am blogging everyday (or nearly everyday) on The Daily Stoic.

Things are going great and then they aren’t. It’s become so common throughout my life that now I expect a low after reaching a high. Like a roller-coaster. Today’s stoic is about using philosophy as a stabilizer. We get busy, we’re stimulated, and creative. We move away from the philosophy that is keeping our bearings and us grounded. I’ll be interested to see if the peaks and valley’s decrease throughout the year as I continue with the daily stoics.

You Don't Have To Stay On Top Of Everything

I am blogging everyday (or nearly everyday) on The Daily Stoic.

This is about the willingness to say, “I don’t know.” There is a lot of news going on out there and in an effort to try and keep up with the latest and greatest we scroll and scroll and scroll. I’ve long given up trying to keep up. I used to get headaches from looking at social media. Those days are gone as I’ve taken social media off my phone and gotten into a habit of checking it every once and a while.

One I first read the title, I thought about work. How I try to be on top of work constantly. I don’t think it directly applies, I do think that I need to pick and choose what matters to me and let everything else go. In my position I deal with a lot of different teams and that can feel overwhelming at times.

Keep It Simple

I am blogging everyday (or nearly everyday) on The Daily Stoic.

I like this one. Not that I don’t like the others. This one is about not overthinking things and instead focusing on what’s in front of us. Do things as if they’re the last thing you’ll ever do. One thing that I’ve liked about blogging “daily” on the daily stoic is that it’s gotten me out of the habit of worrying what people are thinking. Blogging can be quite stressful if you second guess and try to figure out what people are going to think about what you read. It can increase how long it takes to blog.

Right now I’m overthinking. I feel like I have more to say on the topic. I probably do and it doesn’t really matter. Just keep it simple.

Watching The Wise

I am blogging everyday (or nearly everyday) on The Daily Stoic.

This is all about role models. Choosing a role model. Doing what they do and don’t do. For me it’s been people like Richard Winters, Will Smith, Mike Shinoda, Craig Biggio, and Jeff Bagwell.

Richard Winter, was an officer in the U.S. Army who fought in World War II. He was a main figure in Band of Brothers. To me he was someone who handled the tough situations well. He always seemed to have an understanding of the situation and what need to be done.

Will Smith is someone I grew up with. I first learned of him watching The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Since then I’ve gotten into his music and movies. I love his confidence, humor swagger, and his ability to dive into a different arena and be successful at it.

Mike Shinoda is along those same lines as far as doing multiple things on stage and off. He raps, sings, plays guitar and keyboard. He’s had multiple projects outside of Linkin Park and pulls in some really good talent I hadn’t hear of before.

Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell are along the same lines as Winters. They’re leaders. They’re also along the same lines as Smith and Shinoda in doing multiple things. Biggio started as a catcher, moved to second base, and the center field later in his career. Bagwell was the offensive powerhouse. He also played great defense and st

Daily Stoic(s)

I am blogging everyday (or nearly everyday) on The Daily Stoic.

Wednesday - Push For Deep Understanding

This is about taking the time to learn something intimately. One example is the daily stoic. We could blow through the book in a month. Instead we’re taking it one day at a time. My initial read was on oneself. This may or may not apply. Each day I’m learning something new about myself. I’m going deeper into myself more than I have ever before. It feels calming and freeing.

Thursday - The Only Prize

I was just talking to a buddy about the kind of cars we would get. For him it more of a classic Mustang. For me I was happy in my Honda Accord (I’d like one with a stick shift). I didn’t need an expensive car. If I were it would probably be something like an Audi R8. The expenses for having that kind of car would seem impractical, so I’m not sure I’d actual buy one if I were to suddenly come into a lot of money. I’ve always tried to operate in a practical way with things.

We downsized our house moving from South Carolina to Tennessee, because we had so much extra stuff we really didn’t need (I have a touch of minimalist in me). It’s helped when we walk through Costco and see something we think could be useful, but doesn’t really have a spot in the house. I’m still using the same computer desk at home that I bought in 2003 from Target. I try to do that with all my things. I’ve wandered of the key message, which is to prize the things you have not the things you don’t have. Prizing what others have and you don’t leads down the path of envy and jealousy.

Friday - The Power Of Mantra

“I have the power witihin me to keep that out. I can see the truth.” This follows along with what we control, which is our choices and thoughts. I’ve started deploying a semblance of this mantra in my daily life. When I get angry at fellow commuters or people at work. It’s been really helpful in calming me and allowing me to eschew emotional responses.

Saturday - The Three Areas Of training

Desires and aversions; motivations; and reason. All three effect one another. Our desires and aversions are impacted by our motivations and reason. Our motivations are impacted by desires and aversions and reason. And our reason is impacted by our desires and aversions and motivations. These are the areas we are training. We must identify our desires and aversions. Then we determine our motivations for them. Are they for the right reasons? Then we use reason. Reason can be impacted by emotions.

I’m starting to gain an understanding that emotions can have a huge negative impact on our choices and how we perceive things. I’m trying to think of an example where emotion has had a positive impact. I guess it helps with building relationships with people. The other day I was a bit frustrated (emotion) and I used emotion (anger) to blow off some steam. The blowing off steam part though put me at risk of getting injured or injuring someone else, so maybe that wasn’t a good thing. All these are exercises though in training the three areas.